Benedikt Howedes is staying - Schalke

Germany international Benedikt Howedes is not for sale, Schalke sporting executive Horst Heldt has insisted amid ongoing speculation that the central defender is interesting Manchester City.

Schalke skipper Howedes, 26, has been used as a left-back by Germany boss Joachim Low in the World Cup, playing every minute of their run to the final.

Sport Bild reported that his performances in Brazil have attracted the attention of City, and the paper said the Premier League champions were considering an offer.

But Heldt said: "There has been no official inquiry, and Benedikt is not for sale."

Howedes, under contract until 2017, has previously said he could consider a move abroad in 2016, and Heldt said: "It's always good to have a career plan, but 2016 is still far away. Maybe his plan next summer is to stay at Schalke forever."